x220 First impressions

[spook161]

So, I got my x220 today.... Nice piece of hardware

Before I got the laptop, i was beginning to question my wisdom in buying a laptop that gets so hot.... some running as high at 97c

Being that I have specific purposes for this laptop, the minimum of which is gaming, I trudged forward.

Well, today I got to play with my laptop, and I have to say I think i have worked out a pleasant compromise to my settings. Knowing I can't run full speed, as I would exceed my comfortable limits of over-heating, I played with the power settings, and peaked my processor at 2Ghz x 2 processors, and am able to keep my temps around 70c running LinX test for 30minutes or so.

So, as it stands, Im running from high 40's 48/49 idle, to 70ish full-speed (2Ghz)... This is fine for my purposes, surfing, Itunes, and Playing the odd 1080p movie occasionally.

So, besides the compromise in speed... I love everything else about the system. I have it running on my docking station, and it will be serving as one of my desktops.

Thanks everyone for you help, and support.
Spook


Oh, one more thing, can someone point me to that thread that tells me what software/bloatware should be removed? I understand there are a couple of things that help the laptop boot faster, and maintain better battery yields.... so everything shouldn't be removed.

Thanks again.

[unreal25]

What's your CPU?

[Dharmaraja]

Maybe try to re-paste the CPU thermal grease.

[spook161]

i7-2620m 2.7Ghz... Which is fine, because none of the other systems came with a USB3.0 either, and I wanted the USB3.0.

[sniper_sung]

What temperatures do you get by LinX if you don't throttle your CPU at all?

[khtse]

i7-2620m 2.7Ghz... Which is fine, because none of the other systems came with a USB3.0 either, and I wanted the USB3.0.

Just get one of these:
Express Card Expresscard 54 to USB 3.0 x 2 Port Adapter | eBay

it's cheaper than getting the i7 just for USB 3.0

[spook161]

What temperatures do you get by LinX if you don't throttle your CPU at all?

If I turn everything off in bios, it clocks at 800Mhz x2, and at 100% with LinX basically doesn't move, it stays ~52c

If I optimize for performance it goes up to 3.2Ghz, but as it starts to approach 90c it throttles back 2.8Ghz to 2.6Ghz... so, it stays right around 90c

peaked at 94c

Removing HT also gives me 2-3 degrees cooler

[unreal25]

That CPU is a beast. It eats Thinkpad cooling systems for breakfast.

[kirayamato26]

That CPU is a beast. It eats Thinkpad cooling systems for breakfast.

Only in X220's.

It runs about 10 ~ 15C cooler in a T/W520. I guess that's dinner?

[mz/x]

@spook161
I am glad to hear that you are happy with the X220.

Can you give us the specs please?